XADM: MTA Uses Maximum CPU Processes After Upgrade to Exchange Server 5.5 (268697)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5
This article was previously published under Q268697

SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade from Microsoft Exchange Server 4.0 to Exchange Server 5.5, and you then start the information store and the message transfer agent (MTA), the computer's CPU usage may reach maximum capacity. The Windows NT Task Manager shows the CPU processes for the MTA (Emsmta.exe) at 90 to 100 percent. The Threads counter in Performance Monitor (all 48 EMSMTA instances) may show one thread at 100 percent, two threads at 50 percent each, or three threads at 35 percent each.

Stopping and then restarting the MTA does not correct the behavior, nor does deleting and then recreating the Priv.edb and Pub.edb files.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if you do not upgrade existing backup utility software, such as Seagate Backup Exec or Cheyenne Arcserve, to the latest version when you upgrade Exchange Server.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, perform the following disaster recovery procedures:
  1. Turn off the Exchange Server computer.
  2. Create a new Windows NT 4.0 Server computer with the same computer name and the same configuration as the Exchange Server computer that is offline, and then add that new server to the same domain.
  3. Install Exchange Server 5.5, using the same Organization and Site name as the original Exchange Server, and then shut down the computer.
  4. Restart the computer that is running the original Exchange Server, and use the ExchangeAdmin account to log on.
  5. Stop the Exchange Server services.
  6. Copy the Dir.edb, Priv.edb, and Pub.edb files (the files in the Mdbdata and Dsdata directories) to a network share, and then turn off the Exchange Server computer.
  7. Restart the new computer that is running Exchange Server, log on as ExchangeAdmin, and then stop all Exchange Server services.
  8. Rename the Dir.edb file in the Dsdata folder, and delete the *.log files.
  9. Copy the directory backup file Dir.edb from the network share to the Dsdata folder.
  10. Start the Exchange Server services System Attendant and Directory Service.
  11. Rename the Priv.edb and Pub.edb files in the Mdbdata folder.
  12. Copy the Pub.edb and Priv.edb files from the network share to the Mdbdata folder.
  13. At a command prompt, run the following command:

    isinteg -patch
  14. Install the latest version of your backup utility software.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please refer to the Microsoft Exchange Disaster Recovery white paper at:

http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/techinfo/administration/55/BackupRestore.asp

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/21/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB268697
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